Becker said the arrangement was a win-win.
“It’s such a small-budget production, and they’ve been able to contribute their time, which for us is super-valuable,” Becker said. “And at the same time, they’re learning about editing programs and about all the aspects of filmmaking. It’s worked on both ends.”
The production also received support from Lox of Bagels.
“They gave us free bagels every morning for our crew and for the duration of our shoot,” Becker said. “That’s just one example of how the community has come together to make the film possible.”
More funds needed
To bring the film to completion, producers have set up a Sundance Institute-sponsored donation drive on Kickstarter, a new website that serves as a funding platform for creative projects from all around the world. Not unlike PBS pledge drives, donors can receive incentives from the production depending upon how much they’re willing to help, including production credit in the completed film, a signed DVD, fly-fishing flies from Dette’s Trout Flies in Roscoe, a sneak peak screening in New York City, a flight over the Catskills and breakfast with Becker and Berman, as well as artwork, photographs and box sets.
The fundraising goal for the completion of “To Be Forever Wild” is $10,000 in donations by Monday, Sept. 12. As of press time, 51 donors have already pledged nearly $4,000 to help the film, with a minimum pledge of $1. Becker said the fundraising is crucial to be able to complete the initial edit of the film, collect archival footage and have the project completed by early 2012.
For more information on “To Be Forever Wild,” visit www.tobeforeverwild.com or www.kickstarter.com/projects/dbecker1/to-be-forever-wild-a-documentary-film-in-progress.
